Ford government sought Union Station data, streetcar manuals in subway upload talks

Ben Spurr
May 16, 2019
Thestar.com

 

The Ontario government has asked for information about Union Station and TTC operations as part of negotiations with the city over the province’s proposed subway upload, sparking concerns among critics that Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government is contemplating a wider takeover of Toronto’s transit system than it has publicly disclosed.

The Ministry of Transportation issued a request to the city for data about Toronto’s transit system on Feb. 12. The province says it requires the information in order to help execute its stated goal of taking ownership of the TTC subway system.

Council voted in December to authorize the city to share information about its transit system when it agreed to talks with the province, and, according to the terms of reference the two sides agreed to, the goal of the exchange is to “establish a mutual understanding” of the value of TTC subway assets, deferred maintenance and operating costs.

A copy of the ministry’s request, which the Star obtained through freedom of information legislation, shows that while the government asked for specific information about the subway network, including asset audits, capital program materials and TTC board decisions about maintenance and expansion projects, it is also seeking documents related to the broader transit system.

The exhaustive five-page “draft preliminary list,” marked as confidential, includes requests for documents about TTC property transactions, capital projects related to the bus and streetcar divisions, and Presto fare card data.

Ministry of Transportation information request, follow this link: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/05/16/ford-government-sought-union-station-data-streetcar-manuals-in-subway-upload-talks.html

The province made several requests for records related to Union Station, including budget documents, council decisions, and reports about the rail facility in the heart of downtown. It specifically requested documents about the $823.9-million revitalization project Union Station is undergoing.